TOMS RIVER — A Toms River man has admitted to multiple narcotics and financial crimes connected to two major investigations spanning 2025, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

On July 6, 2026, Phillip Tarver, 41, pled guilty before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., to several charges stemming from incidents in Toms River on January 21, 2025, and August 12, 2025. Tarver entered guilty pleas to:

• Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• Financial Facilitation
• Eluding (related to the August 2025 incident)

Tarver is scheduled for sentencing on September 11, 2026. Prosecutors will seek:

• 12 years NJ State Prison on each narcotics distribution charge
• 3 years NJSP, consecutive, for financial facilitation
• 7 years NJSP, concurrent, for eluding

The State’s recommended total sentence: 15 years NJSP.

January 21, 2025 Incident

Detectives with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force were conducting surveillance on Keith Morse, 38, during an undercover cocaine transaction. During the operation, investigators observed Morse meeting with Tarver.

Toms River Police later stopped Tarver’s vehicle on Route 37, where a K‑9 unit detected narcotics. Officers seized pills, a knife, and $5,300 in cash. After Tarver was transported to the Ocean County Jail, a search revealed approximately 110 grams of crack cocaine concealed on his person.

Tarver was charged and later released under New Jersey Bail Reform.

Morse, Tarver’s co-defendant, pled guilty on June 15, 2026 and is scheduled for sentencing on August 21, 2026.

August 12, 2025 Incident

In a separate investigation, Toms River Police observed Tarver near mile marker 83 on the Garden State Parkway. When officers attempted a motor vehicle stop, Tarver allegedly threw items from his vehicle while refusing to stop.

The pursuit was terminated in South Toms River due to safety concerns. Officers recovered the discarded items, which included approximately 21 grams of cocaine.

Tarver was later located in Barnegat Township and arrested without incident. A search revealed $10,000 in cash. He has remained detained at the Ocean County Jail since that date.

Acknowledgements

Prosecutor Billhimer praised the coordinated efforts of:

• Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force
• Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit
• Toms River Township Police Department (Emergency Services Unit, Special Enforcement Team, K‑9 Unit)
• Brick Township Police Department
• South Toms River Police Department
• Barnegat Township Police Department
• Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K‑9 Unit
• Ocean County Regional SWAT Team

The Prosecutor also recognized Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke for his work on the case.

For updates, visit the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Facebook page: facebook.com/share/p/19M3HF5PxW/